So barring a major trade, Boston will be more likely in the market for a bottom-six winger.

There are two classes of bottom-six forwards. There are the guys who have accepted a role that involves more grit and hard work than skill. They usually kill penalties and can help out on draws and provide energy. Then there are the guys who were once multi-millionaires because of their skill and speed and over the years have lost their scoring touch a tad and might have to accept a lesser contract in order to keep their NHL careers going. Some have already transitioned into this stage of their careers.

The top guys in the first class to me are mostly centerman — John Madden, Dominic Moore and Rob Niedermayer. As far as wingers, Arron Asham and Richard Park are probably plum pick-ups. While the Bruins usually have no qualms about signing centers and filling them in on the wing if need-be, these veterans are probably still too rich for the Bruins’ blood within their current budget situation, and natural winger would probably best fit the team’s depth chart.

Guys that might more fit Boston’s plan would be former Bruins Glen Metropolit and Shean Donovan, and journeymen Jed Ortmeyer and Jon Sim. These guys will most likely be available on Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli’s “secondary market” — the players still waiting for a home after the chips fall with the high-end free agents. Re-signing Steve Begin could still be an option, as could a re-engagement with Miroslav Satan.

Satan falls into that second category, as a skill guy who’s getting up there in age and needs to keep his financial expectations relatively low. You can also count Pavel Demitra, Petr Sykora and Owen Nolan in this group. One of these guys might be worth taking a $1 million flyer on to see if they can provide some leadership and add punch to a second power play.

Then there are a few younger forwards that might have lower stocks this summer than they even had the last time they were available. Marek Svatos, Alex Tanguay, Raffi Torres are all 30 or younger and there’s no telling what type of deal they might get in a summer featuring their less-than-impressive recent resumes and a thin crop of skilled forwards on the market. Should one of these guys fall through the cracks, it wouldn’t be the worst thing for Boston to give that player a chance to resurrect his career on a one-year deal.

The bottom line is, the Bruins really have to make a trade — with Tim Thomas the prime candidate to go — in order to really guarantee a different look from last spring when they arrive in the fall. Of course, if they just return with what they’re currently carrying, they can still be a contender.

And he’s a great team guy. And he can carry the puck ehtgiy feet without looking at it ten times. And he can beat the trap by slowing it down and making a tape to tape pass that is flat and won’t get you killed.

I agree with Matt both on his comments about Thomas and Ryder. I like Davids comments regarding Metro and Asham and can see where he is coming from. I also can see the B’s resigning Satan. If he comes cheap again, they know what they are getting as opposed to taking a chance or an unknown. Satan had some huge goals for us this year, including playoffs. He produced immediately upon his signing, and it contuined until the last game. Not to mention….I love his name…..SATAN.

His trade value is at an all-time low and that’s why you never hear his name come up. I think they’re going to count on him to bounce back with Julien pushing his buttons and him playing for a contract. They’re also hoping a deeper, healthy team helps him out. If he gets to the point where he’s killing them, they’ll consider the waivers/AHL option, but that’s a real last resort because I can’t ever see Jacobs paying someone $4 million to play at Providence.

Matt, it’s been bugging me for a little while, but what do you think Chiarelli plans for Ryder are? I remembering two years ago an article on ESPN said that he would look like a genius if he could get production, and Ryder is coming into a contract year, so do you think the Bruins ride him out or do you think they trade him to a team like Minnesota that probably won’t be able to sign any good forwards off the market?

Once the dust has cleared on free agency, he’ll probably have enough value to bring back a second-tier prospect or a slightly overpaid veteran F or D. If the Bruins could save just a couple mill they’d be in better shape.

In regards to this topic, I’d love to see Aaron Asham or Glen Metropolit here. Both are good energy guys that can score and just do their jobs in a lunch pail sort of way that Boston totally lacked last season. That isn’t saying there is no value in signing fading stars, but that isn’t what we really need. We need someone who will work their tails off and remind our skill guys how it’s done. The Bruins need a Metropolit or an Asham or SOMEONE who will always go and play for the win. If not, then at least someone who has enough of a pair to get into a fight to spark the team from time to time, I mean Thorton can’t do it all! Furthermore, players like Asham and Metropolit have a way of scoring timely and important goals though that is not their main job. I remember quite a few from Metropolit in the last few years and was sad to see him leave Boston, for the Flyers and Habs no less! Either way, their energy, ethic, and knack for important goals is why I hope Chiarelli does the right thing and cut Begin loose for one of them.

Matt, what trade value do you think Tim Thomas holds? Obviously, he has shown he can be a proven #1, but in the case of a trade, I’m wondering what a name like his warrants in return, given his age and coming off surgery.

Also, assuming no major changes with the big names of Thomas and Savard, what are the chances Seguin rides on a wing (provided he makes the team)? Or Bergeron switching to a wing?